(A Huelva Gazette Interview with Don Jorge Rieken at the London Universal Exhibition, 1862)

Amidst the marvels of the Universal Exhibition in London, where nations display their industrial might, we had the distinct privilege of speaking with Don Jorge Rieken, the renowned German mining engineer from the prestigious Freiberg school. Known for his meticulous analyses and visionary outlook, Don Jorge is here showcasing manganese ore, yet our conversation quickly turned to the immense potential and persistent challenges facing the ancient copper mines of Southern Spain and Portugal, a topic he has profoundly explored.

Don Jorge, it’s a pleasure to see you here in London. Your 1857 memoir on the Iberian copper mines made quite an impression. Could you reflect on its central message, particularly for those of us less familiar with the details of Spanish and Portuguese mining?

It is, and always has been, about realizing the true potential of a forgotten inheritance. My “Observaciones” sought to awaken all—from statesmen to industrialists—to the colossal oversight in how we manage the wealth beneath our feet in the Iberian Peninsula. We possess mineral deposits of extraordinary scale, yet our practices are, regrettably, outdated and wasteful. We are speaking of “artificial mountains” of slag, remnants of Roman exploitation, some over a hundred feet high, testifying to past grandeur while shaming our modern inefficiencies.

You’ve been quite critical of the existing copper extraction methods, particularly at Riotinto. What are your main points of contention?

The prevailing systems, notably natural and artificial cementation, are profoundly flawed. Natural cementation, while historical, suffers from an “excessive” consumption of iron—far beyond what chemical principles dictate. But it is the artificial cementation, introduced in 1845, that I deemed “highly unproductive” and “costly”. We are losing more than half of the copper from the ore, much of it simply washing into the rivers during rains due to inadequate facilities. This represents a staggering annual loss of 40,000 quintales of copper, valued at 16 to 20 million reales. And the current smelting operations are equally “defective,” handling only an “infinitesimal part” of the residues, resulting in “truly gigantic” waste. For the Treasury, it is entirely “not beneficial”.

So, what reforms do you propose to rectify these inefficiencies?

A radical transformation is necessary, not merely incremental improvements. My primary advocacy is for the adoption of Mansfeld-style blast furnaces for initial smelting. These offer superior fuel economy, operational simplicity, and longer campaign durations, unlike the English reverberatory furnaces that demand extraordinary skill and proximity to abundant coal. I firmly believe the “base of the future beneficiation system will be that of Mansfeld”.

You also touched upon a rather intriguing “unexpected solution” in your memoir concerning silver. Could you elaborate?

Ah, yes, the silver! My thorough assays revealed a “notable” and consistent silver content in the Riotinto minerals, even in the residues, ranging from 0.25 to 0.35 ounces per quintal. This was a resource previously overlooked, discarded. I propose utilizing smelting as a “concentrating operation to save a metal of great value”. This extraction is not only “very possible” but “very advantageous,” particularly as the necessary elements like wood, salt, and mercury are cheaper in Riotinto than almost anywhere else. Furthermore, I’ve re-evaluated artificial cementation. While seemingly inefficient for direct copper production, it serves as a crucial “preparatory operation,” concentrating both copper and silver by expelling sterile materials. It’s a sophisticated integration, turning a perceived flaw into a vital step.

Your economic comparisons with Swansea were particularly striking. How do you argue for Spain’s advantage against such a dominant copper hub?

Swansea thrives on imported minerals, a fundamental vulnerability despite its coal abundance and efficient factories. Riotinto, conversely, possesses “inexhaustible mineral deposits,” granting it inherent “natural elements” for stable, independent production. Our analysis showed that even with the current poor roads, Spain could produce copper more cheaply than Swansea, and with railways, the cost advantage would be “astonishing”. This isn’t just about mining; it’s about national industrial policy. Our natural resource abundance is being undercut by inefficient processing and, crucially, by inadequate infrastructure.

Speaking of infrastructure, you strongly emphasize the need for railways. Why is this so vital?

The problem in Riotinto is not the quality of the mineral, but the quantity and the means to efficiently transport it. We lack proper roads. Transporting a quintal from the government mines to the nearest port currently costs 10 reales. With a railway, this cost would plummet to a mere 0.32 reales per ton per kilometre. The construction of railways is not merely necessary for the mines; it is a fundamental pillar for the entire region’s industrial future. It ensures the economic movement of immense quantities of ore and the vital import of coal and coke, creating a continuous and profitable cycle. It is, in essence, a direct path to realising the “benefits of a rational exploitation”.

You also have direct involvement in mining operations beyond your theoretical work, correct?

That is true. I have directed “La Turdetana” company, exploiting deposits in Valverde and Puebla de Guzman. My friend Ernest Deligny can attest to my “very profitable” work near Vuelta Falsa in Huelva. My interests even extend to manganese, which I have exhibited here in London. I was also briefly involved with the Caveira mine in Grândola, Portugal, though that lease concluded due to external disputes rather than any operational issues. The Iberian Pyrite Belt, after all, spans both Spain and Portugal.

Your work, as you know, has had a direct impact on policy, with Deputy Aldama presenting your data in the Cortes. What do you see as the ultimate legacy of your efforts?

My aspiration is for Riotinto to be recognized as one of Europe’s primary metal-producing regions. Its potential annual production, exceeding 1.2 million tons of mineral, could yield at least 36,000 tons of fine copper, worth over 324 million reales annually. My memoir was considered a “luminous” work, and its data did indeed influence parliamentary discussions, causing a “deep sensation”. This demonstrates the power of sound technical and economic analysis to challenge inertia and shape national policy.

However, one must always acknowledge the broader forces at play. While my internal analyses of operational efficiency remain sound, external market factors, such as the discovery of cheaper Chilean copper or the increasing substitution of copper by zinc and iron, may yet challenge some of my predictions regarding future copper prices. Nevertheless, the fundamental principles of maximising output and efficiency, combined with robust infrastructure, will always be the key to unlocking this extraordinary mineral wealth. Riotinto’s future lies in its ability to adapt and fully integrate its potential into the global economy.

Don Jorge, thank you for your time and your profound insights. Your work continues to be a vital compass for the mining industry.